Disk clutch



June 14, 1932. L. AfBlxBY 1,863,182

DI SK CLUTCH Filed D60. l2. 1950 Patented June 14, 1932 "UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEO A. BIXBY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO UNIT CORPORATION 0F AMERICA, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN DISK CLUTCH Application led December 12, 1930. Serial No. 501,883.

This invention relates to disk clutches,and has primarily for its object to provide means for eliminating rattling noises between the driving member and driving disks. I At the present time, it is customary in multiple disk clutches to provide a loose tit between the interengaging projections of the driving member and the driving disks in order that they may have free relative sliding action during engagement and disengagement of the clutch. The loose lit in question results in objectionable noise as the inter-engaging portions of the driving ring and disks engage each other.

The present invention aims to overcome the foregoing objection by the provision of means for creating frictional engagement between the inner and outer driving members just prior to and during engagement of the clutch, whereby the projections of the outer driving member are held in intimate engagement with the projections of the driving disks.

A further object is to provide means for eliminating the frictional engagement between the driving and driven members when the clutch is disengaged.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing is illustrated one complete example of the physical einbodiment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof. In the drawing, Figure l is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a multiple disk clutch constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end elevation of the same.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, the numeral l designates a driven shaft having secured thereon in any suitable manner, a clutch plate 2 which carries studs 3 on which the driven disks 4 are splined or carried in the usual manner.

Cooperating with the clutch plate 2 to provide the necessary pressure upon the clutch disks, is a compression plate 5 provided with a hollow hub 6 loosely journalled on the driven shaft l for longitudinal movement on the shaft by means of the conventional Spanner, not shown. A compression spring 7, housed within the hollow huh 6, serves to normally urge the compression plate 5 into engagement with the clutch disks, Alternately positioned between the driven disks t are the usual driving disks 8 provided with teeth or projections 9 having loose engagement with corresponding projections l() carried by an outer driving ring ll. Thus, it will be seen that the driving to the driving ring ll, while the driven disks are splined or keyed upon the studs 3 carried by the disk plate 2.

Naturally, when the compression plate 5 is released, the spring 7 will force the same into engagement with the clutch disks to create sutlicient frictional pressure to cause power to be transmitted from the driving ring l1 to the disk plate 2 and thence to the driven shaft l. j

The foregoing is more or less conventional and therefore forms no part of the present invention, it being understood that such structure results in the objections heretofore set forth.

As set forth in the objects, the present invention aims to overcome noise resulting from engagement between vthe driving disks and the driving member ll during operative engagement of the clutch. This is accomplished by means of a tension member comprising a resilient plate l2 provided with spaced fingers 13 secured upon two adjacent rods 3.

Fastened to the outer periphery of the platel2 by rivets or other suitable means, is an arcuate strip of lining material 14, such as is used between the clutch disks, the strip 14 engaging the end face of theouter drivdisks are splined or keyed ing ring 11, when the clutch is engaged as shown in Figure 1. Thus, it will be seen that when the clutch is engaged there will be a direct `frictional Contact or engagement effected between the driving ring andthe disk plate, irrespective of the clutch disks. VIn

lorder lto eliminate this frictional engagement when the clutch is disengaged, the compression plate 5 carries a threaded stud 15, the head of which engages the ,plate 12 'as the .compression plate 5 is retracted to release the clutch disks.

A set nut 16 serves to lock the stud 15 in adjusted position, whereby frictional engagement between the plate 12 and the driving member is released or engaged at any desired point of operation of :the clutch.

Y From lthe foregoing explanation taken in c'onn'ectio'nwith the drawing, the operation ofthe present invention will be quite apparent, in that when the clutch is released, the stud15,fcarried by the compression disk 5, serves ito hold the resilient plate 12 -out of engagement with the face Aof the driving ring 11, and inpon releasing the compression plate 5, frictional lengagement between Vthe resilient plate 12 and the driving ring 11 is'effected, 'just I`priorto the operativev engagement of the clutch disks vresulting from the pressure created 'between the compression plate 5 and "the-'disk plate 2.

' The advantage ofthe vforegoing operation will -be Lapparent Vin that the drag or frictional engagement crea-'ted directly between the driving member 11 andd-riven plate 2 :causes a lag L1pon`-theicl11tch'disks with relation to the driving member, which Yresults in -one face of the projections of the driving disks being held into intimate contact with the-corresponding faces of the projections Yof the drifvingring, thus eliminating the Yusual slapn ing 'noise that occurs not only during 'engagement ofthe clutch, but also-during the 'drivin operation ofthe same.

i' 'ile lone specific form ofthe invention has been illustrated and described in' considera-ble detail, it will be understood that changes in detail Imay be made without departing from the spirit or lthe scope of this invention.

Having thus specifically described the invention, what I :claim is ll. In a disk clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member and clutch disks loosely carried by said lmembers for operatively Aconnecting said members, pressure means creating frictional engagement 'between said 'driving member and vdriven member, said means comprising. a resi-lient plate carried by one of said members and frictionally .engaging the other of said membersY whenthe two are operatively engaged.

2. Ina clutch, adrive and a driven member, clutch disksloosely carried by said inembers, spring means normally urging the disks carried by said members into frictional driving contact, and a tension plate carried by one of said members for contact with the other of said members when the disks are in frictional driving Contact.

3. 1n a clutch, a driven member having a plnralityofsnpporting and-driving studs, a driving member receiving the driven member, a Aplurality, of clutch disks .carried by the studs, .aplurality of clutch dsksi'onsely earried by 'the Vdriving member and disposed between the first mentioned clutch disks, a resilient plate connected at its inner end with certain ofithe studs and a frictional pad connected with one face of the resilient ,plate at its euterfend for friction'al engagement "with the driving 'member when the iclutch idisks' le the drive 4and driven members lare iin fdrifvifng contact.

Intestim'ony that l claim the foregoing I have hereunto Aset any hand fait Milwaukee, Ain the county olf Milwaukee ian'd State of consin. j ,Y

LFE@ A. BIXBY. 

